St Croix County Administration October 13, 2026

The St. Croix County Administration Committee met on October 13, 2026, and unanimously approved the resolution adopting the 2027 budget and establishing the tax levy. The budget includes $160,000 from fund balance for 2027 clean-water initiatives, within approximately $500,000 set aside for the program across multiple years; further spending plans are still to be developed. In public comment, a resident urged the County to budget for legal intervention in the 10 Mile Creek matter before the Public Service Commission. Staff said they had not included the requested $350,000 in the 2027 legal-services budget, but the County Board could consider a budget amendment if a filing proceeds; that amendment would require a two-thirds vote rather than a simple majority.

The Committee approved tax-deed bids for four county properties: $2,000 for the former creamery property in the Town of Glenwood, $95,000 for a parcel in New Richmond, $8,500 for a Maple Street parcel, and $17,200 for a parcel in the Town of Star Prairie. Staff also reported a 2027 auto-insurance change: dropping collision coverage while retaining comprehensive coverage and separate liability coverage, reducing the premium from $240,000 to $78,000. The deductible will decrease from $25,000 to $10,000.